Thursday, February 23, 2006

By the time lunchtime came around today my blood sugar levels were probably registering negative numbers so I scooted down to the canteen to pig out on bangers and mash. And baked beans, but I hate those so... well never mind the lunch menu. I sat down with some of my colleagues at a table and started munching. The topic of conversation was music and we had great fun reminiscing about the popular bands from the 80's. Everyone remember Erasure? From laughing at remembered images of men in fish-net stockings we moved on to concerts.

"Did anyone see..?" and "Were you at..?"

Well, no I wasn't. I grew up in South Africa, which wasn't exactly the most popular destination for musicians in the 80's.[Except Bryan Adams. I saw him twice. Thanks Bryan!]

Now, perhaps it was because I was still feeling a little grumpy from being so hungry, or perhaps it was in retaliation for someone saying something bad about Queen, but I decided to drop my 2 cents' worth into the conversation by saying that the most disappointing concert I have seen wasU2 in Croke Park last year.This little epiphany was greeted by a stunned silence. Hehe. Remember: this is Ireland - U2 are gods here. Croke Park is their home turf. In truth, I thoroughly enjoyed the concert last year, although I said then and I still maintain I like to go to concerts for the music - if I wanted to hear about politics, I would go to a political rally. I am only too aware that Africa is in trouble... I didn't pay good money to be told that by a singer with an inflated ego, however good his intentions are. I mean, he really believes he is single-handedly going to solve all of Africa's problems.And then, I'm sure, he plans to sing about it.

OK so I may have exaggerated this a little at lunch today, but I do so enjoy stirring the pot a bit. It's fun leaving people speechless :-)

PS Thanks Kyknoord for pointing out my nomination to me. And thank you, all my loyal subjects - I mean, readers - for voting for me in the SA BlogAwards. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside :-)~Txxxx

Beads 'Bangers' are pork sausages and 'mash' is mashed potatoes. Very popular here & in England.Ooh, I could make u so jealous - I was only about a meter away from grabbing Bryan on that very sexy ass of his at the one concert, woohoo!

I like U2. And I like that Bono uses his "position" to help Africa. But I have to agree with you, politics and rock concerts dont mix well. Sinead O Conner did something like that too once. but i think it was more Ireland related and rebel like than a good cause. And bangers and mash is one of our favourites at home here too. My boys love it. And I dont like baked beans either - yuk!

The first time I came to Dublin was in 1994. I'd booked a private room in a youth hostel, which the hostel had inexplicably given to some Italian guy. I was distraught as I couldn't imagine spending a night in a 32-bed dorm room. I set out to find a room in a B&B in the Gardiner Street area, only to be told again and again that they were all sold out because of....the Bryan Adams concert.

Huh? I was amazed. I thought everyone had stopped listening to him 10 years before, but okay. Who knew Bryan Adams was huge in Ireland? I certainly didn't.

I worked at an animal marine park (Sea World) for years, and in one of the shows, they used Erasure's music. It would pulse through the park durking working hours and during off hours when they practiced... now that was always sure to keep me smiling! I still get excited when I hear anything by them! Oh, and as far as the voting... you were on my voting list on day one! =)